HUD Digital speedo problem, yes i searched... i know what isn't wrong with it...

[ceniack]

k, well, my hud went out...again after replacing the whole thing with a used unit.

symptoms:

hud and digital speedo stay on for approximatly 15-30 seconds after turning the ignition to the on position (this is how i checked to see that the speed sensor and ruled out the probability of the TCU). the way it stays on for a bit and then just dims makes me want to think that it may be a capacitor that is unable to hold a charge.

what i have checked/replaced.

1) replaced the cap that usually goes bad (noticed there are two caps that look the same in that spot that are usually replaced) although it could still be another capacitor2) ruled out TCU (speedo works, all other gauge lights work, etc...)

any suggestions would be greatly appriciated (seems i may just need to replace the whole unit)

[NISTECH]

It sounds as if your correct since it does light up then goes dead, which one I couldnt tell ya. You could power it up and use a good volt meter to probe the back of these caps to see which one loses voltage but has it at its other pin.

[ceniack]

cool, i may try that, problem with some of them is that the caps i think are suspect are surface mounted, also, do you know what size caps i would need, or just get like a couple of each?

[NISTECH]

personally I have never gone in and replaced circuitry parts on them as the dealer finds its a liability issue that they dont want to take So I am not sure of the size you need. I have layed a few solider beads in the TCU to repair a burnt trace but had to tell the customers it was only an experamental repair and that it may not last. For the record last one I did let me know some time later it was still working..lolWhere are you getting your components from? local electronics supply store?

[ceniack]

yeah, there are like 4 radio shacks within driving distance of my apartment.

probably going to go in and just start replacing capacitors one by one soon, just take it out, have my friend drive me to radioshack with gauge in hand and just point to stuff and be like "i need one like that" lol

[NISTECH]

From my experiance with radio shack, they never seem to have the electronics I need. Usually its the VR's or IC's I need they never have, I end up running to an electronics supplier in sacramento that has just about everything I need , Except the EPROM's

[ceniack]

cool, i am not sure of any other electronics places in the oklahoma city area may have to do some looking around.

i really appriciate your help/input